A friend of mine got a hold of some pills that he called "Qualudes" - Pronounced "Kwayludes" (I have no idea how to spell that.)Could you give me some information about what these pills are and their effects?

A:

Quaaludes are a group of CNS depressants classed as "hypnotic sedatives" (sleep inducer) that were popular recreationally in the 60s and 70s. In the early 80s, the manufacture of quaaludes was ceased due to excessive abuse/recreational use and due to the improvement of the benzodiazepines (such as valium) and other sedatives, which are much safer. While there is some illicit manufacture of qualudes today, most of what is found on the street sold as qualudes is likely either a benzodiazepine or a weak opiate. Effects are sedation, decrease in anxiety, loosening of inhibitions, and "balance issues". Some people experience pleasant body effects. Side effects include disorientation, extreme sedation/sleep, grogginess the next day, and memory loss. One should be careful not to combine quaaludes or benzodiazepines with alcohol or other CNS depressants (opiates, ghb, etc). They are synergistic drugs and can greatly amplify the effects and side effects of each drug, and cause extreme illnes and possibly death.